TABLE of CONTENTS Introduction Chapter I. Situation with Ensuring
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Chapter I. Situation with ensuring and observing the rights and freedoms of a man and citizen in Turkmenistan Chapter II Civil and political rights Chapter III. Economic, social and cultural rights Chapter IV. Analysis of handling appeals of citizens Chapter V. Activities of the Ombudsperson to help improve the national legislation of Turkmenistan Chapter VI. Participation of the Ombudsperson in public events. Promotion of human rights awareness Chapter VII. International co-operation Chapter VIII. Appeals and recommendations of the Ombudsperson Chapter IX. Conclusions 1 Introduction As in previous years, the purpose of this report is to review the country's respect for human rights, based on an analysis of important human rights issues, coverage of the human rights situation in 2020, and the activities of the Authorized Representative for Human Rights - the Ombudsperson (hereinafter referred to as the Ombudsperson) for the protection of human rights and freedoms, the restoration of violated rights, the prevention of human rights violations, the submission of proposals, as well as other activities carried out within her powers. The introduction will highlight a number of key events of the reporting year that are inextricably linked to the rights and freedoms of citizens. The year 2020 was held in the country under the motto “Turkmenistan is the homeland of Neutrality” in connection with the 25th anniversary of the recognition by the international community of the legal status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan. From the perspective of jurisprudence, human rights are of great importance for the institution of neutrality, and the Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan “On Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” explicitly secures this. Over the past quarter of a century, the status of neutrality has reflected its effective nature in the national and foreign policy of the country. Turkmenistan has adopted a Declaration on the International Human Rights Obligations of Neutral Turkmenistan, which states that respect for human rights and freedoms is the foundation of justice and peace. One of the most important events of the past year was the constitutional reform aimed at modernizing the state structure and the legal system, democratizing society, strengthening the foundations for ensuring human rights and freedoms, in particular, the country's transition to a bicameral parliamentary system. Last year, our country effectively continued international cooperation, including cooperation on human rights with reputable international organizations. At the same time, it should be noted that Turkmenistan for the sixth time was elected Vice-President of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly. During this meeting, the esteemed President put forward important initiatives of universal and global significance. Last year, preventive measures have been taken at the national level against the pandemic of an acute infectious disease, which has become a global challenge for the world; fundamental, comprehensive work was launched to prevent the negative impact of this threat on the country’s economy, along with work aimed at preventing human rights violations. This Annual Report, which comprises nine chapters, will look in more detail at the above and other important events that took place in the country, an extended analysis of the practical implementation of the tasks of ensuring political, civil, economic, social and cultural human rights and freedoms, and other activities carried out by the Ombudsperson during the year. In accordance with the provisions of article 20 of the Law of Turkmenistan “On the Ombudsperson”, this report shall be submitted to the President of Turkmenistan for consideration and the Ombudsperson shall deliver this report to the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. It will be also covered in the mass media of Turkmenistan and on the website of the Ombudsperson. 2 Chapter I. Situation with ensuring and observing the rights and freedoms of a human and citizen in Turkmenistan We consider it appropriate to start the chapter on human rights situation in the Report of the Ombudsperson for the past year, marked by the 25th anniversary of the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan under the motto “Turkmenistan is the homeland of Neutrality”, with the norms of the legal status of the country’s neutrality, which guarantee the protection of human rights. The country’s neutral status is inextricably linked to human rights. In this context, the Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan “On the permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” and the Declaration on the International Human Rights Obligations of Neutral Turkmenistan state that one of the key principles of the Turkmen state is the declaration of human rights and freedoms in the country as the highest value of society and the state, and the priority of these rights and freedoms in the state activities. These acts affirm that human rights and freedoms are a priority in Turkmenistan, and that the fundamental rights and freedoms of a man and citizen, accepted by the international community and enshrined in the norms of international law, are recognized and respected. The status of neutrality of the country is not only a safeguard of the peaceful life of the people of Turkmenistan, but also serves to maintain peace in the region and around the world. In the past reporting year - the year of “Turkmenistan is the homeland of Neutrality”, in independent, permanently neutral Turkmenistan, significant work was carried out to ensure the legal basis for the ongoing activities aiming to expand the scope of socio-economic transformations. The work was aimed at ensuring a calm, peaceful and prosperous life for every citizen; increasing the pace of reforms to transition to a market economy; improving the social and state-political structure of the Motherland, including further improvement of the activities of state authorities; and democratization of state and public life. Despite the continuing complicated situation in the world, the wise domestic and foreign policy pursued by the esteemed President of Turkmenistan contributed to achieving sustainable economic growth in 2020 due to the inspired work of the people of Turkmenistan, and gave impetus to state activities aimed at the welfare of the people. Numerous social and industrial facilities had been built and put into operation. Progress had been made in the country’s economy, industry, agriculture, science and education, healthcare, culture, sports and other areas. The large-scale work carried out in the country has become a source of ensuring the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of citizens. In this context, we shall focus on the important work that was implemented in the country during the past year. We shall focus primarily on the work to ensure a prosperous life for citizens, the protection of economic interests, which were the priority areas of state policy. In the past 2020, the country’s social policy continued to aim at improving the level and quality of life of the people. Specific examples showed that opportunities for human development had been expanded through the improvement of the efficiency of activities in health, education, culture, and various types of work in the service sector. For instance, more than 70 percent of the state budget expenditures were allocated to finance the sphere of social and public services in 2020. The spending of 99.9 percent of the allocated funds indicated the fulfillment of the tasks of social protection, in particular, education, health, social security, improving the opportunities available in the field of housing and communal services, and ensuring the natural rights of the people in various areas. Due to the country's positive domestic and foreign policy, political, economic, social, and legal transformations, and, at the same time, following the transition to private ownership, the 3 development of civil society, enabling factors for the full realization of human rights, their potential, and initiatives were created in our country. It should be emphasized that these transformations have been achieved as a result of comprehensive work carried out on the basis of long-term programmes and plans implemented in our country. In particular, this was the result of the successful implementation of such socio-economic programmes as: “The Programme of the President of Turkmenistan for Socio-Economic Development of the country for 2019-2025”, new version of “The National Programme of the President of Turkmenistan for the Transformation of the social and living conditions of the population of villages, towns, towns of etraps and etrap centres for the period up to 2020”, “The National Programme for Socio- economic Development of Turkmenistan for 2011-2030”, “The Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy in Turkmenistan for 2019-2025”, “The General Programme for Providing Clean Potable Water to the settlements of Turkmenistan”, “The Programme for Improving the Employment System and creating new jobs in Turkmenistan for 2015-2020”, “The State Programme for Supporting Small and Medium Businesses in Turkmenistan for 2018-2024”, and “The Concept of the Foreign Policy Course of Neutral Turkmenistan for 2017-2023”, aimed at developing the country's strategy for foreign policy. Last year, in order to prevent the negative impact on the country's economy of the global challenge that has arisen in the world – the COVID-19 pandemic, these plans were adjusted accordingly,